CAR clampers have been accused of “highway robbery” after raking in a cool £5,000 from people attending Cranleigh’s bonfire night celebrations on Saturday.

Making the charge was Guildford MP Sue Doughty, who has promised to take up the complaints of families whose night was ruined after being forced to fork out £125 to free their cars.

Unsuspecting motorists were not challenged when they parked behind Stocklund Square before the event but Parking Control Services’ (PCS) employees Joe Ifill and Mervyn Williams then set about clamping around 40 vehicles.

A claim that people were warned they should not park there was shouted down by angry and distressed families. All said no warnings were issued.

The warning signs were not illuminated and were almost impossible to see in the dark.

Lisa Costello, one of the clampers’ victims, said: “They were waiting for us – it was like a little trap.”

Don Clark, who labelled the clampers “sharks” said: “It is absurd to have over 40 spaces sitting substantially unused on one of Cranleigh’s most crowded and busiest evenings.”

The clamping regime was introduced last week after GM Broomhall, managing agents for Stocklund Square, signed a contract with PCS to enforce parking restrictions.

However, a number of those caught by the clampers said they believed it was one of the car parks for the bonfire, while others said they always parked there for previous events.

Police Supt Kevin Deanus, highlighting the charitable nature of the event, said the police had been present to ensure there was no breach of the peace, but had no other powers to intervene.

Sgt John Eldridge did, however, attempt to persuade the clampers to free the motorists, while Mark Conlin, manager of the new Sainsbury’s supermarket, also made valiant efforts to resolve matters.

The store has no responsibility for the car park or clamping contract, but Mr Conlin sought to mediate and undertook to take the matter up with the managing agents on Monday if the clampers freed the cars.

But they insisted he produce the £4,800 charge, which he was in no position to do. He said at the time: “I think it’s ludicrous to do what they have done.”

Some mothers with young children, who had already been out in the rain for around two hours, were in tears at the refusal of the clampers to budge.

One of them, Mr Ifill, sought to sympathise with their plight, said: “We should not be here on a charitable night. I think it’s disgusting and disgraceful.”

However, with orders being given to them by mobile phone, they refused to budge. Eventually people began to pay up after being assured by Mr Conlin that he would take up the issue this week.

Contrary to the views of some present, he made no offer to pay.

In their eagerness to clamp as many cars as possible, Mr Ifill and Mr Williams clamped at least one vehicle with a resident’s permit, while a notice was missing from the windscreen of another – the car was clamped on the passenger’s side and the driver, unaware he was clamped, drove off, damaging his vehicle.